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Aspects of the life history of Cichla temensis (Perciformes: Cichlidae) and its relationship to the Amazon Basin's flood pulse
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Reiss, Paul. Aspects of the life history of Cichla temensis (Perciformes: Cichlidae) and its relationship to the Amazon Basin's flood pulse. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T32B911F

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TitleAspects of the life history of Cichla temensis (Perciformes: Cichlidae) and its relationship to the Amazon Basin's flood pulse
NameReiss, Paul (author); Able, Kenneth W. (chair); Taghon, Gary L. (internal member); Jordan, Rebecca (internal member); Grothues, Thomas M. (outside member); Rutgers University; Graduate School - New Brunswick
Date Created2015
Other Date2015-10 (degree)
SubjectEcology and Evolution, Peacock bass, Amazon River
Extent1 online resource (vii, 152 p. : ill.)
DescriptionCichla temensis, the largest of the Neotropical “peacock basses”, is an economically important species for both sportfishing and human consumption in the central Amazon lowlands. As an apex predator, it is also an important component of its ecosystem. Due to taxonomic questions and a dearth of definitive information about the species’ life history and relationship to its natural flood pulse habitat, there has been a lack of effective management tools and conservation policies to protect this economically and ecologically important species. The principle motivation for the work performed for, and described in, this dissertation is to clarify these topics and provide a foundation for the creation of effective future management tools. In Chapter 1, a three-part study using morphometric, reproductive and molecular data showed that variants of Cichla temensis are members of a single species whose individuals undergo a yearly color and pattern variation correlated to their specific degree of seasonal sexual maturation. Chapter 2 used geometric morphometric techniques to analyze shape changes in the variants and their relation to the deposition of fatty reserves necessary for prespawn gametogenesis and postspawn maintenance during a protracted fast associated with brood guarding behavior. The study showed that the behavioral and physiological characters analyzed are related to each other and to their environment’s yearly flood pulse. Chapters 1 and 2, in conjunction with prior studies and personal observation, laid a foundation that served as the basis for Chapter 3. Habitat use and spawning behavior were analyzed in relation to flood pulse conditions and grade of color and pattern variation. The temporal and spatial linkages provided by these results enabled, for the first time, a synthesis of the species’ life history with the Amazon basin’s pulsative ecology. This new body of information can help provide a foundation for future management tools and conservation policies to maximize the economic benefits provided by this species while simultaneously creating the sustainability to protect the unique ecosystem in which it plays an integral role.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Paul Reiss
Genretheses, ETD doctoral
Persistent URLhttps://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T32B911F
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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